Adam Johnson is relishing his first return to Manchester City – and his first ever outing against a former employer.

Sunderland’s £10m summer buy is set to line up against his former club tomorrow, as the Black Cats head to the Etihad Stadium to take on the Premier League champions.

Johnson joined City from Championship club Middlesbrough in January 2010 but never faced the Teessiders with his new team, which means that this game against City will be the first time he has played against one of his old sides.

Johnson shook off a troublesome thigh injury to come back into Sunderland’s starting line-up last weekend, as the Wearsiders clocked up their first league win of the season against Wigan at the Stadium of Light.

And now he is looking forward to facing the club where he won the title and an FA Cup winners’ medal in his two-and-a-half year stay, despite his relationship with boss Roberto Mancini souring towards the end.

“It was a good win against Wigan and obviously City is a tough place to go and it’ll be nice to be involved in that,” said the 25-year-old, who has also been named in the England squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland.

“I’ve never been back to an old club in my career.

“I had great times there, winning leagues and FA Cups. I’ll always see it as a big part of my career.

“I’m looking forward to going back and seeing a lot of old friends there.” Johnson joined Sunderland on the same day as Steven Fletcher towards the end of the August transfer window, and it was the arrival of the City man that captured the imagination of the Sunderland fans.

But Johnson’s thigh injury – suffered while on international duty at the beginning of September, and ruling him out of the Black Cats’ league games against Liverpool and West Ham – has allowed £12m-man Fletcher to take centre-stage.

And the former Wolves striker has made a huge impact, scoring five goals in his first four league appearances for the club.

Johnson said: “Fletcher’s on fire at the moment. Whenever he gets in front of goal, you always think he’s going to score.

“That’s what he was brought here to do and he’s doing that.

“He’s having one of those great spells where you just know he’s going to score.

“He’s a natural scorer and that’s what he’s doing.”

While Fletcher has been the man in form, Sunderland’s creative trio of Johnson, James McClean and Stephane Sessegnon has yet to fire on all cylinders for a variety of reasons.

Johnson’s injury has disrupted his start, while a pre-season ankle problem left Sessegnon playing catch-up in terms of match fitness and McClean has found himself singled out for extra attention after making such a big impact last term.

But Sessegnon believes that having Johnson back in the side could be just the spark Sunderland need as they look to exploit a City defence that has yet to keep a clean sheet in their opening six league games.

“It’s good that Adam was able to play a part against Wigan after returning from his injury,” said the Benin international.

“He’s going to be a really important player for us this season because of his skill and technique.

“It was pleasing to see him back in the team.

“A game against Manchester City is never going to be easy.

“They are a team who defend very well, as well as scoring goals, even though they’ve conceded a few this season.”